Half brassiere

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a single piece half brassiere. The half brassiere further comprises a cup member dimensioned and configured to fit a wearer&#39;s breast. Each cup member is manufactured to individually support dissimilar shape breasts of various sizes and shapes. Each cup member is defined by a first side and an opposing second side. A torso portion is formed on the first side of the cup member and extends therefrom to an opposing third side. The torso portion is adapted to encircle one-half of the wearer&#39;s front chest region. A first fastener mechanism is connected to the opposing second side of the cup member. A second fastener mechanism is connected to the opposing third side of the torso portion.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/933,561

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to women's brassieres and moreparticularly to a single piece half brassiere manufactured in variousshapes and sizes to support the user's associated breast. The prior artteaches a two piece brassiere of various sizes and shapes as in U.S.Pat. No. 4,416,284, a mastectomy brassiere as in U.S. PAT. NO.2002/0102913, and a multi-component assembled brassiere as in US PAT.NO. 2003/0236054. Generally, brassieres are fabricated as a singlegarment to support a pair of symmetrical shape breasts. However, somewomen are not born with a pair of symmetrical shape breasts. Thus, withthe present invention, each asymmetrical shape breast can beindependently supported.

SUMMARY

It is at object of the, present invention to provide a single half piecebrassiere manufactured to individually support each individual breast ofthe wearer of the brassiere. The wearer selects two separate halfbrassieres which support each individual breast size. The brassieres arethen attached to support each breast. The half piece brassiere ismanufactured in various sizes and shapes. The brassiere can be straplessor each cup can be manufactured with under wire support. Additionally,straps can be attached to the brassiere and the straps can beadjustable. The upper torso member of the half piece brassiere can alsobe adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the present invention on thewearer's body without straps.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the present invention on thewearer's body with straps.

FIG. 2 illustrates a single half bra piece manufactured in one size.

FIG. 3 illustrates another single half bra piece manufacture in anothersize.

FIG. 4 illustrates the back view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates additional support for cup size 36 (B)

FIG. 6 illustrates additional support for cup size 36 (C)

FIG. 7A illustrates removable interconnecting means for front of bra

FIG. 7B illustrates removable interconnecting means for back of bra

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown the present invention comprisinga single piece half brassiere (100) which can be manufactured in varioussizes and shapes individually fit each breast. FIG. 1 illustrates afrontal view of one embodiment of the present invention as worn by afemale. Each cup member (110, 150) is dimensioned and configured to fita wearer's breast cup size of 36C and 36B respectively. Each cup member(110, 150) of the present invention can be manufactured to individuallysupport dissimilar shape breasts of various sizes and shapes up to andincluding full figured women. This invention can be utilized in swimwearor other types of women wear in which brassiere are an integral part ofthe garment.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded view of eachcup member (110, 150). Each cup member (110, 150) is further defined bya first side (121) and an opposing second side (120). The presentinvention further includes first fastener mechanism (105, 107) connectedto the opposing second side (120) of each cup member (110, 150). Firstfastener mechanism (105, 107) is utilized to secure the two halfbrassiere in place as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in some embodiments each cup member(110, 150) can further include casing (155) encompassing the entireinner surface area of the cup member (110, 150). Casing (155) is adaptedto enclose conventional padding to provide additional support for thewearer's breast. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 additional padding isadded to support the wearer's breast of unequal size. Additional paddingsupport 156 is added to cup 36(B) and additional support padding 157 isadded to cup 36(C). Normally, the amount of additional padding support156 required for supporting a smaller breast size is more than theamount of additional padding support 157 to support a larger breastsize. As shown internal additional support padding 156 for Cup size 36(B) is thicker than internal additional support padding 157 for Cup sizeC 157. Therefore, additional interior support is required to provide, aneven contour perception on ,the outer side of cup size 36 (B) to cupsize (C) as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

In other embodiments, each cup member (110, 150) can further include asecond casing (160) along the lower peripheral edge of each cup member(110, 150). Second casing (160) is adapted to receive conventional underwire which provide additional support for the wearer's breast.

Referring to FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of one embodiment of thepresent invention as worn by an individual. Each torso portion (200,201) is formed on the first side (121) of each cup member (110, 150) andextends therefrom to an opposing third side (140, 141) as depicted inFIG. 4. Torso portion (200, 201) is adapted to encircle one-half of thewearer's front chest region.

As shown in FIG. 4, second fastener mechanism (145, 146) is connected tothe opposing third side (140, 141) of the torso portion (200, 201).Second fastener mechanisms (145, 146) are utilized to secure torsoportion (200, 201) in place. First fastener mechanism (105, 107) andsecond fastener mechanism (145, 146) can be conventional hooks.

As depicted in FIG. 4, alternative embodiments of the present inventioncan further include shoulder straps (220, 221) extending upwardly overthe adjacent shoulder interconnecting the top of the torso portion (200,201) to the top of cup member (110, 150) illustrated in FIG. 1A. Eachshoulder strap (220, 221) can be adjustable in length utilizingconventional extension clamps (225, 226). Additionally, the torsoportion (200,201) can be adjustable in length utilizing conventionalextension means (130, 131). Extension means (130, 131) can be a shortinsert of stretchable fabric such as elastic. The upper torso member(200, 201) can be made of stretchable fabric such as nylon.Alternatively, each shoulder strap member (220, 221) can respectivelyremovably interconnect, the top of torso portion (200, 201) to the topof cup member (110, 150). As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B complementaryfasteners (176, 177) are attached to the top of torso portion (200,201)and top of cup member (110,150). One end of strap member (220, 221) isreleasably connected to fastener 177 connected to the top of torsoportion (200, 210) and the opposing end of strap member 220, 221 isreleasably connected to fastener 176 attached to cup member (110,150).Complementary fasteners (176, 177) can further comprise a catchmechanism (178, 179) at a strategic location on the strap thus allowingthe hanging strap to be held in place. As shown the catch mechanism(178, 179) is a hook and eye.

1. A single piece half brassiere comprising: a cup member dimensionedand configured to fit a wearer's breast, the cup member beingmanufactured to individually support dissimilar shape breasts of varioussizes and shapes, the cup member being defined by a first side and anopposing second side; a torso portion attached to the first side of thecup member and extending therefrom to an opposing third side, the torsoportion adapted to encircle one-half of the wearer's front chest region,a first fastener mechanism connected to the opposing second side of thecup member; a second fastener mechanism connected to the opposing thirdside of the torso portion; a first casing encompassing the entireinterior surface area of the cup member; and the casing adapted toenclose a padding to provide additional support for the wearer's breast.2. The half brassiere of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder strapextending upwardly over the adjacent shoulder interconnecting the top ofthe cup member to the top of the torso portion.
 3. (canceled)
 4. Thehalf brassiere of claim 1 wherein the cup member further comprises: asecond casing along the lower peripheral edge of the cup member; and thecasing adapted to encompass an under wire support member.
 5. The halfbrassiere of claim 2 wherein the shoulder strap is adapted to beadjustable in length.
 6. The half brassiere of claim 1 wherein the torsoportion is adapted to be adjustable in length.
 7. The half brassiere ofclaim 2 wherein the shoulder strap extends upwardly over the adjacentshoulder removably interconnecting the top of the cup member to the topof the torso portion.
 8. The half brassiere of claim 6 furthercomprising: an extension means including a band of material of apredetermined length and width, the band of material capable ofextending in length such that the torso portion is adaptable in length;and the band of material being attached to the torso portion near thefirst side of the cup member.
 9. The half brassiere of claim 1 whereinthe additional support further comprises: the padding is dimensioned tothe wearer's breast size to provide additional support such that the cupmember have an even contour.